- Copyright 0 1976 by the North Carolina Women's Prison Book Project First printing, November, 1976 1,000 copies The members of Second printing, April, 1977 on this book becaus 1,200 copies Women's Prison. A Feminists members a Prison Project made part of the work in fundraising, layout and distribution, at the North Caroli for the liberation . This material has been copyrighted to prevent use by Greetings my Sistas profiteers. If you want to use anything from the book, just I extend total write and let us know what you're using it for. and dedication. Originally, We Photographs provided by Big Mama Rag, Frank Cuthbertson, as We just wanted t and The News and Observer. the book developed, attempt to briefly We encourage people to write to the sistas at: 1034 the sistas. Bragg St., Raleigh, N.C. 27610. Last January, printing a book con Copies of this book are available at $2.00 each from: done since June of P.O. Box 27, Durham, N.C. 27702. Make checks payable to: monstrated to be tr< North Carolina Women's Prison Book. Please add 25<f per book for postage and handling. The members of Triangle Area Lesbian Feminists decided to work on this book because of our continuing interest in the struggle at. Women's Prison. A coalition between a group of Triangle Area Lesbian Feminists members and several members of the North Carolina Hard Times Prison Project made it possible for the book to be published. Our part of the work included collection and arrangement of articles, fundraising, layout, typing, paste-up, printing, collation, binding and distribution. The initiative for the book came from the women at the North Carolina Correctional Center for Women who are fighting for the liberation of all oppressed people. Triangle Area Lesbian Feminists Prison Book Project Greetings my Sistas/Bruthas/Comrades, I extend total greetings of unity, solidarity, struggle, strength and dedication. Originally, We had planned to have no introduction for the book, as We just wanted to let the sistas speak for themselves. However, as the book developed, the sistas asked me to write one. So, i'll now attempt to briefly explain my feelings about the book, and of course the sistas. Last January, the sistas and We discussed the possibility of printing a book containing all their articles, poems, and drawings done since June of 1975--the turning point for them--when they de- monstrated to be treated and recognized as human beings. We, out here in minimum custody, working on the book, have made absolutely no "editorial" changes, like not even changing the "spelling or In Our grammar." So, everything you will soon get into is exactly what the sistas did/felt. How much Ion We view this reflexion of the sistas in a few different ways. Let me explain what i mean. Correctional Cent release to freedo Their June protest was an intensification of all the sistas1 opposition to racism, sexism, oppression and repression. At this strong survive, time, the sistas felt that the protest would bring about their de- individuality, an mands, and all efforts and concentration were in this direction. ourselves overtly Even though the protest is over a year old, the sistas still makers. In reali remain very dedicated to the destruction of the present prison sys- and our sisters a: tem, in order to set up viable alternatives. Also, a small cadre all over the worl of the sistas have now started an intensive study of numerous books about the welfare and pamphlets written by various socialist leaders of the world strug- The women no gle for liberation. They soon realized that no matter what small manifested their gains they had won or would win are not guaranteed till all oppressed on the front lawn people are free! So, this is now the direction/path for which they June IS, 1975. T are preparing themselves. many opinions. I The sistas have given their support to various struggles, locally, a person has been nationally, and also internationally, in the forms of boycotts, fasts, which we live, it and letters of unity. Some heavy examples are the liberation struggles for wanting to be in Africa, the Marion bruthas, the San Quentin 6, Assata Shakur, Cheryl The ludicrous Todd and Dessie X Woods, and also their Death Row sistas and bruthas staff at the Cente in North KKKarolina, and in all amerikkkan cages. Their various time- lock-in time. A s dated articles are clear manifestations of their spiritual/mental we stated that he growth. By this time news Working with these strong, beautiful and determined sistas has Women, had arrivec definitely been a give and take experience. They've taught me a great knowledge of the c number of things, like organizing, and most importantly, to identify 5:30 p.m. by us tc as much as i can with their day to day changes/experiences, even though Our acting SL i'm out here in minimum custody. The very small way i've tried to con- let us know he hac tribute is to aid in their political development and lend as much sup- return to Raleigh, port as i can. I also feel that i've gained some very solid comrade- made no appearance ships with the sistas, which hopefully will be eternal ones. Even my people who they he young comrade/daughter has gained many new comrades from whom to learn. The answer is the Many sistas and bruthas have also learned much from the sistas. given and constitu Since June, hundreds of caged sistas and bruthas have communicated with the sistas and have become united with them. They've all given the About 12:00 m sistas many typed of support. These communiques have come from all Prisons, came on t over the kountry; places like California, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, and no attempt at nego of course, this state. Comrades in minimum from all over, even Holland, and Mr. Kea. We r been written to Go have now established bonds with them, and have lent much concrete sup- Edwards and Mr. Ka port. In behalf of the sistas, and also myself, We extend deep thanks requesting that so: and much gratitude to everyone. All of you, in your own way, have Mr. Kea and us. Ii greatly contributed to the book's formation. One more brief important point/aspect of this book is a call for Kautzkv had come t< unity and solidarity that is definitely needed to achieve our final goal--total liberation. In Unity, Strength and Struggle, Jinni M. Stroman N.C. Hard Times Prison Project June 30, 1976 In Our Peaceful Struggle How much longer must the residents (prisoners) of Women's Correctional Center be held slaves of the state without any hope of release to freedom? We live in a capitalistic world wherein only the strong survive. For those of us who refuse to be stripped of our individuality, and who are bizarre and articulate enough to express ourselves overtly, we are labeled subversives, militants and trouble- makers. In reality, however, we are the people who care about ourselves and our sisters and brothers. This then is what is needed in prisons all over the world: keepers who are qualified and who genuinely care about the welfare of the kejpt. The women now confined at the N.C. Correctional Center for Women manifested their plight and struggle for justice for all by protesting on the front lawn right inside the prison fence on the evening of June 15, 1975. This protest was spontaneous on our part, contrary to many opinions. It had not been preplanned or pre-arranged. Unless a person has been confined and subjected to the cruel environment in which we live, it would be difficult for them to comprehend our reasons for wanting to be recognized as human beings and not as animals in a cage The ludicrous aspect of the whole situation is that none of the staff at the Center asked that we go to our dorms at the usual 8:00 p.m. lock-in time. A sergeant on duty finally asked what our problem was and we stated that he could not handle it; we preferred to see the Governor. By this time news reporters, along with a group, Action for Forgotten Women, had arrived at the fence. Both of the above had no previous knowledge of the demonstration; they had been contacted at approximately 5:30 p.m. by us to request their support. Our acting Superintendent, Morris Kea, called from Charlotte to let us know he had heard about the protest and he was leaving then to return to Raleigh. Lt. Dickens and Capt. Moreland, Heads of Custody, made no appearance on the grounds. What made them so afraid of the people who they heretofore had rushed to put in punitive segregation? The answer is the strength of a united people protesting for our human- given and constitutional rights. About 12:00 midnight, Mr. W.L. Kautzky, Assistant Director of Prisons, came on the grounds. After listening to our grievances he made no attempt at negotiation either, but tried to shift the blame onto us and Mr. Kea. We refused to accept the responsibility because letters had been written to Governor Holshouser, Mr. David L. Jones, Mr. Ralph Edwards and Mr. Kautzky, informing then of the existing conditions and requesting that someone come to the Center to discuss the matters with Mr. Kea and us. Important and.relevant to this is the fact that Mr. Kautzky had come to the institution about two months previous to re- solve some custody and medical problems which had provoked our peace- doesn't like beii ful protest.